John Chester alias Wryxworth (fl. 1440s): David Grummitt introduces one of the least known Members of Parliament to have been covered in this series, but a man whose role as herald made him an important figure in mid-15th century England.(Biography)

Heralds fulfilled a vital role in the late Middle Ages. Their most important task was in the practice of diplomacy, as representatives of the king, but they were also used more generally to carry messages. Most high-ranking among the heralds were the kings of arms, who alone could grant heraldic coats of arms, while the most junior were known as pursuivants.

Although a great deal is known about the functions of heralds generally, relatively little is known of the individuals themselves. The career of John Wryxworth, recently identified as the 'John Chester' who sat for Rochester in ...

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